We were appointed to deliver a £2.8 million roofing and rooflight refurbishment at Highgate Studios in North London, a prominent commercial and creative campus.

The project, across Blocks 530 and 320, covered extensive flat roofs, saw-tooth roof structures and large-format rooflights, all within the live and fully operational commercial estate.

Working in an occupied creative campus required careful planning and close coordination with tenants and mechanical contractors. The works included stripping and refurbishing significant roof areas, installing high-performance waterproofing systems, upgrading rooflights and forming new upstands and detailed waterproofing around rooftop plant, ductwork and service penetrations. Safety was also enhanced through new handrails, edge protection and controlled access routes.

Due to the complexity of multiple adjoining roof zones and the sensitive studio spaces below, our team implemented phased delivery and bespoke access solutions, including perimeter scaffolding, bridged walkways and internal crash decks to protect occupied areas during rooflight replacement. Temporary weather protection ensured the buildings remained watertight throughout the programme.

Regular inspections and structured reporting maintained quality control, with issues tracked and resolved at each phase. This disciplined approach enabled works to progress efficiently while maintaining normal studio operations.

HBS Project Director James Brett commented, “The completed project has delivered fully refurbished roofing systems, upgraded rooflights that improve durability and daylight performance, and enhanced long-term safety and waterproofing across the estate. Congratulations to our team who managed this high-value, technically detailed project that required careful sequencing, access planning and close coordination with stakeholders, all without any disruption to the Studios tenants.”